Slip and Fall

Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

A slip and fall accident can be more serious than people realize, and sometimes, property owners neglect to remove certain hazards which may contribute to the occurrence of this kind of accident on their premises. Injuries resulting from a slip and the subsequent fall can be quite serious, including broken hips, shattered knees, traumatic brain injury, and fatal complications. At Levine & Glassman, we understand that tripping on someone else's property can be a difficult situation, and we can help you navigate through the process of getting compensated for your damages.

If you have slipped and fallen on public or private property, receiving injuries as a result, obtaining experienced legal representation can ensure that you're able to be fully compensated for the expenses you incur. Slip and fall cases are often tricky to prove, since the concept of comparative negligence often comes into play; property owners will try to point the finger back at you when you claim that they were negligent. Having a solid legal backing will help you prevent the opposing party from casting doubt on your case and limiting the amount of compensation you can receive.

Experienced Florida Slip and Fall Representation

We at Levine & Glassman believe that a comprehensive approach to personal injury cases is necessary to give our clients a successful resolution. Dealing with insurance companies and business officials in the kinds of cases our clients go through takes a lawyer who is dedicated and has the experience, integrity, and resolve necessary to resolve a case effectively. Let our attorneys employ their legal strategy for your Florida slip and fall lawsuit. Get in touch with our lawyers directly at (954) 332-6100, or you can fill out our online case evaluation form to present the details of your case and schedule a free case evaluation. Contact us today to learn how you can approach your slip and fall injury lawsuit throughout Southeast Florida, including Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Miami in Miami-Dade County, and West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County.

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Slip and Fall Information Center

• Overview of a Slip and Fall
• Dealing with Insurance Companies
• Causes of a Slip and Fall
• Injuries Resulting from Slips and Falls
• How We Can Help

Overview of a Slip and Fall

A slip and fall case falls under the area of premises liability. This means that the owner of the property on which you suffered your injury could be at fault due to negligent maintenance of the property. Like any premises liability case, though, it must be proven that the property owner was truly negligent in order for their liability to cover your expenses.

The plaintiff in a slip and fall lawsuit must prove by preponderance of evidence—that is, at least 51% of the evidence is in your favor—that the defendant was the negligent party beyond a reasonable doubt and that they held a responsibility to you as a visitor. Their responsibility to you depends on the reason for your visit. Business or social visitors are generally eligible for slip and fall compensation, but trespassers on the premises are typically not protected as such.

Receiving compensation usually requires dealing with an insurance company, whether it is yours or the other party's. A business will usually have insurance for slip and fall cases, but some individuals may be completely uninsured. In this case, having an attorney discover certain details about your case will help you unearth other potentially liable parties that could serve to compensate you for the damages you received.

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Dealing with Insurance Companies

When working with an insurance company, especially the other party's insurer, one thing you should never do during a slip and fall case is admit fault. Even following the accident, telling someone that you're just clumsy and that it was probably your fault could significantly hurt your case. Even if you feel partly responsible for the accident, there could be negligence involved on the part of the other party that could have contributed more dramatically to your injury than you realize.

To take that a bit further, avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster until after you've sought legal counsel. The adjuster for the defendant will most certainly not be on your side, so they will be trying their best to skew the facts against you. The slightest mistake in your testimony could give the insurance company the ammo they need to poke holes in your case, so the best plan of action is to just politely refuse to give a statement until you have met with an experienced attorney.

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Causes of a Slip and Fall

Putting aside the possibility of reckless behavior that results in a slip and subsequent fall, there are a number of conditions that can cause an individual to trip. Many of these are preventable conditions that a reasonably diligent landowner could fix, meaning that you could be entitled to compensation if you're injured as a result. Some of the more common conditions that cause people to trip are:

• Wet Floors
• Broken Tiles
• Ripped or Loose Carpet
• Throw Rugs
• Unsteady Stairs
• Poor Visibility / Lighting
• Sudden Changes in Elevation
• Misplaced Objects
• Exposed Wires or Cables
• Potholes

Some conditions are permanent and inherent to the condition of the establishment, such as changes in elevation. In this case, it is the owner's responsibility to adequately warn visitors of dangerous conditions with something like a "Watch Your Step" sign. Similarly, temporary conditions must either be fixed in a reasonable amount of time, or visitors must be warned of the condition. Failure to do this is negligence that could injure visitors.

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Injuries Resulting from Slips and Falls

Most people tend to view a slip and fall as a minor issue, and they see plaintiffs in a slip and fall case with suspicion. A slip and fall accident can actually be quite serious for the victim under certain circumstances; 28% of all traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of falls, and some slip and fall accidents—especially among the elderly—can be fatal. Some of the more common injuries that occur from slip and fall accidents include:

• Broken or fractured collar bone
• Broken or fractured hip
• Serious knee injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Recovering from these injuries can often be a long and draining process, costing you considerably in the form of medical expenses, lost wages and productivity, and mental anguish. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida if you have suffered any of these injuries as the result of a slip and fall accident on another person's property.

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How We Can Help

The attorneys at Levine & Glassman, P.A. are dedicated to serving the interests of our clients that have been injured due to the negligent behavior of someone else. We offer experienced and competent representation that will help you get back on your feet after a slip and fall accident throughout Florida. Through the pursuit of the three tenets of experience, integrity, and resolve, we provide valuable legal counsel to our clients that helps them get the compensation they deserve following a personal injury.

If you have a personal injury lawsuit or claim in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, the surrounding areas throughout Florida, or even nationally, contact us today to schedule a direct, free consultation with one of our attorneys. We are more than happy to help you through this difficult time. Call us at (954) 332-6100 or fill out our online contact form to begin the process of recovering the damages from your injury.